Attitude and perception of medical interns about antimicrobial resistance: a multi center cross-sectional study in Ethiopia.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a global burden and reduction of antimicrobial resistance requires change in antimicrobial prescribing behavior of health workers. The current study aimed to evaluate the attitude and perception of Ethiopian medical interns towards antimicrobials resistance.

Methods: A multi center cross-sectional institutional based survey was conducted from August 2016 to October 2016 among medical interns in Ethiopia. Data entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS) software version 21.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used and statistical significance was set at P-value  < 0.05 as a cut of point.

Results: Out of the 278 questionnaires distributed, 270 were returned completed giving a response rate of 97.1%. Most of the participants 256 (94.8%) wants to receive further education about antimicrobial stewardship. Chi-square test showed a significant difference between institutions about interns' attitude and perception concerning over usage of antimicrobials in their institutions; description of correct antimicrobial coverage; handling patients who demands antimicrobial therapy that is not indicated and finding reliable sources of information to treat infections ( P-value  < 0.05). Attaching at internal medicine wards during the survey and receiving antimicrobial stewardship training during the past 6 months were found to improve their attitude significantly by 2.68 and 3.48 times respectively.

Conclusions: The current study demonstrates an enormous desire of medical interns for further education about antimicrobial stewardship. Hence, it is strongly recommended to provide a comprehensive, regular, standard and up to date educational training in all medical institutions for our future prescribers. Medical institutions and stakeholders are recommended to advocate curriculums and policies that build up antimicrobial stewardship programs.